Tap wrench



April 5, 1932.

V H.' J; SMITH 1,852,226

TAP WRENCH Filed Nov. 18, 1929 mm WWH WLE ZE Patented Apr. 5, 1932 urroSTATES F EC HERBERT J". SMITH, OF GBEENFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIG'NORTO THE THREAD- WELL TOOL COMPANY, OF GR-EENFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, AGORPORATION' OF MASSACHUSETTS TAP WRENCH Application filed November 18,1929. Serial No. 407,841.

} lation of the parts, and in which taps having different shanks can beinserted and held with equal rigidity; and to provide a comparativelyinexpensive and simple construction.

v Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 isa plan of a tap'wrench constructed in accordance with this invention,and shown in position to hold a tap with the smallest sized shank;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1, showing the tap isposition;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing thepositive means for holding the adjustment; and

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a tap in position with amuch larger shank.

The device is made with a single rod 10 constituting the main portion ofthe wrench and serving at its two ends as handles. On this is arranged aframe 11 consisting of a single piece, either forging or casting,through which the handle 10 runs and to which it is secured by a pin 12,so that these two parts practically constitute a single element of thedevise. The rod or handle 10 is provided with a notch 13 preferably atits center, consisting of two surfaces at right angles to each other,and at 45 degrees to the axial line of the handle.

The frame 11 besides surrounding the rod or handle 10 is provided with ahollow cylindrical projection 14, thus having a T shape. This projection14 is screw-threaded internally at 15 to provide for receiving a screw16 having a knurled head 27 by which the adjustment is secured. Thisscrew is hollow and is provided with screw-threads 17 for fitting ascrew 18 which has preferably integrally connected with it at the end ajaw 19. One of the screw-threads 15 or 17 is right handed and the otherleft handed. This jaw is provided with outer surfaces at 90 degrees toeach other, parallel with the sur-' faces 13 and adapted to fit againstthem when in the most retracted position as shown in Fig. 1, and the endis provided with a notch formed of two other surfaces also at rightangles to each other and at degrees to the axial line of the handle.

l/Vherever the aw 19 is adjusted, the surfaces 13 and 20 provide asquare opening. It is shown in its smallest size in Fig. l and atpractically its largest size in Fig. 4. Into this square opening theshank of the tap 21 is inserted.

Of course the operation is to unscrew the screw 16 so as to allow thetap to be inserted against the surfaces 13, and then screw this downuntil the shank of the tap is fixed in position.

The tap can be inserted from either side through openings 24 in theframe 11.

A side screw 22 is set in with a screwdriver so as to engage in a groove23 along the side of the jaw 19. This firmly holds the jawin anyadjusted position and also prevents the aw from turning when the screw22 is loosened enough for adjusting purposes.

It will be seen that this constitutes a very simple way to construct atap wrench with a minimum number of parts and a comparatively smallamount of machining. The device is simple, compact and durable and isnot likely to get out of repair.

Although I have illustrated and described only one form of theinvention, I am aware of the fact that changes can be made therein byany person skilled in the art Without departing from the scope of theinvention as expressed in the claim. Therefore I do not wish to belimited to the exact form shown, but what I do claim is As an article ofmanufacture, a tap wrench having a rod extending through it, the ends ofwhich constitute the handles of the' at right angles to the rodinternally threaded, and an opening for allowing the shank of a tap toenter said projection, a jaw movable in said frame at right angles tothe axis of the rod and having a right angular notch in its endcomplementary to the notch in the rod and having a longitudinal groove,and an adjusting screw having a head outside the frame and an externalscrew-thread for adjusting it in said projection and being hollow andprovided With an internal screwthread of the hand opposite to that ofits external thread, the jaw having a screwthreaded portion fitting theinternal thread, whereby the jaw can be adjusted by the external andinternal screw, and a screw extending through the side of the frametransversely and engaging in the groove in the movable jaw to preventits turning.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto aflixed my signature.

HERBERT J. SMITH.

